Kelly Slater Wins J-Bay; One Step Closer To World Title Nine

JEFFREYS BAY, South Africa (Thursday, July 17, 2008) – He’s done it again. Eight-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA) beat reigning ASP World Champion Mick Fanning (AUS) today to win the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, earn his 38th ASP World Tour victory and claim the fourth event on the 2008 ASP World Tour.

Slater beat Fanning 16.73 to 9.40 in the Billabong Pro Final. While conditions early this morning were clean and six foot (two metre), onshore winds made the semifinal and final tricky.

With six events remaining, there is still a possibility the title could be clinched by another surfer on the ASP World Tour roster, but the probability that will happen is small – something Slater’s competition knows all too well.

“I guess it’s not over ‘till it’s over, but it’s like climbing Everest and he’s halfway up the bloody hill,” Fanning said of the race for the world title.

The tour continues July 30 with the Rip Curl Pro Search in a location TBD.

Jon Olsson signs with DotInc Management

.INC
ACTION SPORTS
MANAGEMENT

London, UK (10th July 2008) – Dotinc Management, Europe’s leading action sports management agency, has signed freeski superstar Jon Olsson to its roster of clients. Jon Olsson is the defining athlete of the new school freeskiing movement with 10 X Games medals to his name as well as his own signature events, the Jon Olsson Invitational and the Jon Olsson Super Sessions.

“We are incredibly excited to add the greatest freeskier in the world to the Dotinc roster of athletes,” comments Kristoffer Hansson, Managing Director of Dotinc. “What makes Jon such a unique athlete and of extraordinary value to his sponsors is his skiing talent combined with his entrepreneurial spirit. His website, video-blog, proprietary events and cutting edge marketing initiatives are achieving broad consumer reach. We are looking forward to developing Jon’s personal endorsement deals and taking his brand to the next level.”

Jon’s accolades include a nomination for Male Skier of the Year at the ESPN Action Sports and Music Awards and winner of the Powder Magazine Reader Poll and Video Awards. At the X Games, Jon has won the Big Air title and has medalled in both Slopestyle and SuperPipe four years in a row.

“I’ve found the perfect career partner in Kristoffer Hansson and Dotinc Management,” says Jon. ”They are poised to help take my business part of my career to the next level but also help me realise a couple of new dream projects.” Jon is now combining his freeski talents with his racing roots and is making a serious commitment to the FIS tour in Giant Slalom. This will take a lot of determination and organization, but Jon proved that he has got the talent by taking 1st and 2nd in two FIS sanctioned races last season.


Editors note:
Dotinc Ltd is a full range management company that connects brands with action sports through representation of Europe’s leading action sport athletes, creative talent and properties.
Dotinc’s roster includes snowboarders: Hampus Mosesson, Markku Koski, Markus Keller, Kjersti Buaas, Jakob Wilhelmsson, Chris Sörman, Johan Olofsson, Tore Holvik.
Skiers: Jon Olsson, Jacob Wester, Henrik Windstedt, Henrik Harlaut, Thomas Dolplads.
Snowmobiler Daniel Bodin and Skater Mathias Ringstrom. Photographer Daniel Blom.
Production company Actionhorse Films. The Jon Olsson Videoblog and Jon Olsson Super Session (JOSS).

Dotinc Ltd (dotinc.co.uk) is part of the KAOS group which includes action sports marketing agency KAOS Brands In Action (kaosbrandsinaction.com) and creative agency Creating Kaos (creatingkaos.com).

For more information about Dotinc, please contact
Kristoffer Hansson
kristoffer@dotinc.co.uk
ph +44 207 288 2332
mob +44 7854 388 7588

For photos of Jon, please visit www.redbull-photofiles.com

Shaun White And The Magic Horse

He shoots, he skates, he scores: Get on the trail with American hero Shaun White

Billabong acquires Sector 9 Skateboards

Billabong International Limited today announced the acquisition of Sector 9, a premium Southern California-based skateboard brand. Sector 9 was founded in 1994 and has emerged as a market leader in the design and manufacture of skate longboards, a fast-growing niche segment within the skateboard market.

Billabong International Limited Chief Executive Officer Derek O’Neill said Sector 9 operated in the specialty boardsports channel with a unique product offering.

“Sector 9’s products, primarily its longboards, really differentiate it from other brands in the boardsports channel and have appeal to surfers, skateboarders and the broader youth market,” said Mr O’Neill.

“The company has not only proved the viability of the longboard segment, it has
experienced sustained growth over the past decade and has become synonymous with the California boardsport lifestyle.”

Co-founders and owners Steve Lake and Dennis Telfer and co-owner Dave Klimkiewicz are being retained as part of the acquisition in their current roles. Mr Lake, Sector 9’s President, said he was excited by the prospect of teaming with a boardsports industry leader.

“While Sector 9 continues to maintain solid growth in the US, we are most excited at the prospect of combining our brand’s growing international awareness with Billabong’s proven global distribution network,” said Mr Lake.

The purchase of Sector 9 includes its Gullwing skateboard trucks brand. The bulk of Sector 9’s revenues are generated by skateboard and associated hardgoods sales, while apparel is a small but emerging category.

Sector 9 is expected to contribute approximately 2% to Billabong International Limited’s sales in the 2008-09 financial year. The acquisition is expected to be earnings per share accretive in year one.